Gene Mock ~ Making it Easy!

There are many factors to consider when selling your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home.  What is the best way to stage my home to make the most impact?  What angle shows off this room best in photos?  How will my home be marketed?  Who do I hire as my real estate agent?  These are but a few of the questions you may be asking yourself.  When pricing your home to sell, though, it's time to play "good comp/bad comp".

You only get one chance to make a first impression.  This includes your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home's sales price.  Set it too low and you could be cheating yourself out of valuable profits.  Set it too high and you run the risk of turning away potential buyers before they even set foot in your home.  Studies show that a home that starts off with an asking price that is too high for the market ends up having to be reduced, often several times, before it actually gets sold.  The home ends up on the market for months and tends to sell for less than if it had been priced competitively to begin with. 

Real estate professionals use "comps" (comparable home sale prices) to help determine the best price point for your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home to maximize profits while minimizing its time on the market.  A good comp is a home similar in size (square footage of home and lot, bedrooms, bathrooms, garage, etc) and amenities (pool, granite countertops, hardwood floors, etc).  Don't use prices of homes that were sold more than 90 days ago because the market fluctuates and anything older than that can already be outdated.  Since values can vary significantly from neighborhood to neighborhood as well as city to city, make sure that your real estate agent pulls comps from homes located as close to yours as possible, preferably within the same block, if possible.

Another good comp your agent can get you is a list of homes currently for sale in your area.  See how much other Northern Virginia/South Carolina homeowners are asking for their properties.  Find out how long these homes have been on the market and if they have been reduced at all in that amount of time.  This can be valuable information.

Finally, one of the best "comps" you can get on your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home is from your real estate professional.  They have been out there in the trenches day in and day out.  They have an up close and personal knowledge of what's going on in the local real estate market.  You would be smart to listen to their advice.  Remember that they want to see that your home sale is a success almost as much as you do.

When pricing your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home to sell, play "good comp/bad comp".  Using the prices of homes recently sold in your area, what homeowners are currently asking for their homes around you and what your real estate agent recommends you price your home at will help determine if you sell your home in the next few weeks or wait for months.  Let me know when you're ready to get your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home on the market.

Gene Mock, your Northern Virginia, South Carolina and Washington DC real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Northern Virginia Homes blog here: http://northernvirginiahomes.net/2012/01/26/play-good-compbad-comp-when-pricing-a-home/.

Having your power go out is tough any time of the year.  But, during the cold winter months, it can be especially harsh.  This is a good time to follow the Boy Scout motto: Be Prepared.  Here is what you need to do in case you experience a power outage in your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home during the winter.

Create a home emergency kit.  This kit should include at least a three day supply of water, food (canned and dry) and prescription medications for every member of the family, including baby and pet supplies, if needed.  Additionally, flashlights, extra batteries and first aid supplies should be part of your kit.  For a more detailed list of what is recommended, please visit FEMA's website.  Keep a wrench handy in case you need to shut off the gas or water.  Make sure everyone knows where the shutoffs are for these as well as where and how to turn off the electricity.

Look around.  If you are the only Northern Virginia/South Carolina home in the dark, then a circuit breaker may be the culprit.  However, if there are no lights on in the neighborhood, you need to contact your utility company to report an issue.  They may already be aware of a problem in the area and can advise you on how long it will be out.  Don't call 911 unless you see power lines down, especially if there are live wires jumping around, since this can be a major hazard.

Preemptive strike.  Turn off and completely unplug all major appliances and electronics, including the TV and computer.  This will help avoid the possibility of damage from a power surge once the power comes back on to your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home.  Food will stay safe for at least 4 hours in the fridge and 48 hours in the freezer if the doors remain closed, even when unplugged.  Seal off any air leaks by placing rolled up blankets under your exterior doors and closing up the windows.  Open the cabinet doors under your kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow warmer air to flow through.  Maintain a constant drip from your faucets to avoid bursting your water pipes.

Stay safe.  Never use open flame, your oven or any heating device meant for outdoor use (such as your barbecue) to warm up the inside of your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home.  If you are using a portable generator, keep it outside, away from doors, windows or vents where carbon monoxide can find its way inside.

Huddle up.  After you have layered on the clothing, get the family together in one room.  Close all doors to any rooms you are not currently in.  Your body heat will help keep your loved ones warm.  Don't forget to add a hat and gloves to your ensemble.  Most of your body heat escapes through the top of your head.

Create a signal.  Keep at least one light switch in the "o"n position so you will know when power has been restored to your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home.

Winter in the Northern Virginia/South Carolina area can be really chilly.  Knowing what to do in a power outage and being prepared beforehand can make it much easier on you and your loved ones when and if a disaster strikes.

Gene Mock, your Northern Virginia, South Carolina and Washington DC real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Northern Virginia real estate blog here: http://northernvirginiahomes.net/2012/01/19/what-to-do-in-a-power-outage/.

There has been a lot of talk about "going green" over the last few years.  With the population continuing to expand and valuable resources being used up, we need to take responsibility for how we treat our planet in order for our children and grandchildren to have something worthwhile in the future.  You don't have to make major changes in your Northern Virginia/South Carolina lifestyle to make a major difference.  Just remember the three R's of green living: reduce, recycle, reuse.

Reduce - It used to be difficult to find products that were packaged in biodegradable materials.  However, many manufacturers are also advocating a greener way of life.  Everything from laundry detergent to eggs can be found packaged in items that are easily recyclable, such as cardboard and paper.  If you can only find the item you're looking for in plastic containers in Northern Virginia/South Carolina, make sure the plastic is the kind that can be recycled.  Bring your own reusable shopping bags with you when you go to the grocery store or even the mall.  This will help reduce plastic bag consumption.  Since cloth bags are more sturdy then their plastic counterparts, you can fit more items in each bag as well. 

Recycle - Most cities in Northern Virginia/South Carolina have adopted a recycling program of some sort that coincides with regular curbside pickup of household refuse.  Many times, they will provide a separate trash can that you put all recyclables in: paper, cardboard, plastic, soda cans, etc.  Contact your local trash company to find out what their policy is.  If your city doesn't provide a program, you can separate your trash yourself.  Set up a separate bin for paper products (including cardboard items), plastic items (milk jugs) and metal (such as soda cans and fruit/vegetable cans).  Find your local recycling facility to take these bins when they fill up.  There are many places that allow you to turn in your soda cans for money.  So, you can get that $0.05/can that you are charged when you buy the product in the first place.

Reuse - Don't throw out something simply because you need to have the latest and greatest version.  There's no reason to get rid of an item simply because you're trying to keep up with the Jonses.  Old jelly jars, butter containers and milk jugs can be repurposed to separate and organize nuts, bolts and screws in your Northern Virginia/South Carolina garage, hold your leftovers or as a funnel to change your motor oil, respectively.  You're only limited by your imagination.

A greener lifestyle doesn't mean making drastic changes.  Just keep the three R's of green living in mind and you can make a big impact: reduce, recycle, reuse.  Help keep Northern Virginia/South Carolina and the rest of the world beautiful for generations to come.

Gene Mock, your Northern Virginia, South Carolina and Washington DC real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Northern Virginia homes blog here: http://northernvirginiahomes.net/2012/01/12/the-three-rs-of-green-living/.

Are you considering purchasing a Northern Virginia/South Carolina home?  Have you thought about buying a foreclosure property?  Many people have.  There are several foreclosures on the market right now (although the numbers appear to be dwindling).  There's no guarantee that buying a foreclosure in Northern Virginia/South Carolina means you'll get a better bargain than going the traditional route, though.  Here's a basic rundown on buying foreclosed properties.

The most common way to buy a Northern Virginia/South Carolina foreclosure is at auction.  This can also be the riskiest.  Typically, bidders aren't allowed inside the property before the auction begins.  That leaves out the possibility of inspecting the interior condition of the home.  There may be serious issues inside that can cost thousands of dollars but you won't know until you take ownership of the property.  When you buy a home at a foreclosure auction, you literally get it "as is".  Also, bidders don't usually have the opportunity to research the history of the property to make sure that there are no tax liens or other issues that would avoid a clear title.

You may be surprised to find out that most foreclosure auctions end up with no winning bid.  Keep in mind that most foreclosed Northern Virginia/South Carolina homes up for auction are actually worth less than the amount required for a minimum bid.  When this happens, the mortgage company takes the property back in its possession, may perform a few repairs (but not always) and will then sell it as an REO (Real Estate Owned) property.  With an REO, a potential buyer has the opportunity to research the property's history as well as perform any inspections they wish to pay for on it before putting in an offer.  Unlike traditional home sales, a bank may require you to use a specific escrow company, even if it's different than what you or your real estate agent have already decided to utilize.  Also, banks aren't big on negotiating a "deal".  They are usually selling their REOs to recoup their costs.  So, giving them a lowball offer won't necessarily go over well.  This is where an experienced, licensed real estate professional comes in handy.

When it comes to buying a foreclosure, expect the unexpected.  There are several REO properties on the Northern Virginia/South Carolina real estate market that I would be happy to show you.  Whether you purchase a home through a foreclosure/REO situation or via traditional means, there is no better sense of accomplishment than when you sign the papers and are handed the keys to your very own piece of the American dream.  Feel free to contact me any time you are ready to buy or sell your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home.

Gene Mock, your Northern Virginia, South Carolina and Washington DC real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Northern Virginia Homes real estate blog here: http://northernvirginiahomes.net/2012/01/05/buying-a-foreclosure/.

Many real estate experts believe that home inspections aren't just for Northern Virginia/South Carolina home buyers.  Sellers can benefit from having a home inspection performed before they place their home on the market as well.  But why are home inspections good for both buyers AND sellers?  Let me explain.

Every home has the potential for problems, even newly constructed ones.  Before you buy a Northern Virginia/South Carolina home, you should always have a home inspection done.  The inspection will give you some valuable insight into possible issues (big and small) that may cost you money down the road.  This can help you when it comes time to negotiate the price.  Let's say the seller is asking $210,000 for the home you're interested in.  Upon first glance, it looks like the perfect deal.  However, a home inspection reveals that the roofing is need of replacement within the next few months and the plumbing system is in desperate need of updating.  This could cost you anywhere from $15,000-$25,000 dollars that will be coming out of your pocket.  That means that the $210,000 asking price should actually be several thousand dollars less to compensate for it.  These are issues that may not be visible on a regular walk-through of the property but can valuable information to have before closing a deal.

When you're selling your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home, having an inspector come out to investigate your property can help point out what repairs are needed so that you get the most money possible for your home at sales time.  Many buyers tend to overestimate how much it will cost to repair or replace an item by as much as twice the actual price.  For example, if a buyer sees a water stain, they automatically believe that the whole system will need an overhaul, costing thousands of dollars or may turn them off buying the property entirely.  In reality, it may be a simple leak that needs to be repaired with a bit of drywall to be replaced, costing a few hundred dollars instead.  If you make the repair yourself, the buyer will never see that there was a problem to begin with and you can ask for what your home is truly worth.

A basic home inspection covers the plumbing, heating/cooling and electrical systems, a visual inspection of the roof, attic (including visible insulation), ceiling, walls, floors, basement and foundation.  It is highly recommended that you are there when the inspector performs their inspection so that you can make sure all these areas are covered, have the "trouble spots" pointed out to you and ask any questions you may have.  While a home inspector isn't legally required to inspect things such as mold and pest problems, a good inspector may still make recommendations as to whether they feel these areas may need further investigation if the possibility of harmful black mold or termites is visible. 

Inspectors are also only legally required to inspect what they can see.  This means that they don't have to move items to look behind them, such as bookshelves, pictures, etc.  Sometimes, problems can be hidden even from a professional inspector.  Again, a good home inspector will still do as much as they are able to in order to give you as thorough an inspection as possible on the Northern Virginia/South Carolina home in question.

Home inspections are good for buyers and sellers no matter how old or new the Northern Virginia/South Carolina home is.  That is why real estate professionals recommend you spend the couple hundred dollars on an inspection before you buy OR sell a property.  Let me know if you need any help finding a good home inspector.  Please remember that this post is meant for information purposes only.  I am not a professionally licensed home inspector.

Gene Mock, your Northern Virginia, South Carolina and Washington DC real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Northern Virginia Homes real estate blog here: http://northernvirginiahomes.net/2011/12/29/home-inspections-are-good-for-buyers-and-sellers/.

Buying Christmas presents in Northern Virginia/South Carolina is the easy part.  Wrapping them, on the other hand, can be quite a chore.  Before you begin this part of the Christmas present tradition, here are a few tips for making the gift wrapping process easier.

Keep your all your holiday bows, ribbons, tape, tags, tissue paper, gift wrap, etc. in one place.  This helps you stay organized as well as easily find what you need when you need it.  You may want to consider purchasing a pair of scissors to keep with your supplies.

Hold all of your supplies in a good, sturdy container.  Crafts stores like Michaels and Jo-Ann's Fabrics as well as Wal-Mart and Target sell long, rectangular containers that will hold wrapping paper tubes with ease.  Other supplies will fit in there as well.  They also easily store underneath your bed, keeping them in one place but out of the way.

Avoid wasting wrapping paper by measuring around the object you want to wrap first.  Using a piece of string to wrap around the object can help you determine the amount of paper needed without pulling out the measuring tape.

If you're not a gift wrapping connoisseur, try a gift bag instead.  They come in a wide variety of sizes to fit just about anything.  For items that are too large for a gift bag, a little more creativity will be needed.  Tableclohts, blankets, sheets and even decorative garbage bags will cover most large items.  For things like bikes, go to your local appliance store and ask for a refrigerator, dishwasher or oven box.  Then, all you have to do is open up one end of the box, place it over the top of the bike and put a bow on it.  You're good to go.

Gift wrapping can sometimes be a daunting task.  Following these tips will help make your gift wrapping easy.  Happy holidays everyone!

Gene Mock, your Northern Virginia, South Carolina and Washington DC real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Northern Virginia Homes real estate blog here: http://northernvirginiahomes.net/2011/12/22/make-gift-wrapping-easy/.

Many families in Northern Virginia/South Carolina will be celebrating this holiday season by setting up a Christmas tree.  While it's fun to decorate and enjoy, these trees can also be a serious fire hazard when not properly cared for.  Since fire departments report an increase in home fires during the holiday season due to Christmas trees, taking care of your Christmas tree is important.  Here are a few tips on keeping your family safe while enjoying your Christmas tree.

The first step is choosing the right tree.  Fire department officials recommend that you don't keep a cut Christmas tree in your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home for more than two weeks.  When choosing your tree, touch the needles and bend the branches to make sure they are pliable.  If they break easily, the tree is too dry.  Also, pick up the tree by the trunk and tap it on the ground.  If lots of needles fall on the ground, that is a good indicator that the tree may be too dry.

Before you leave the Christmas tree lot, ask the attendants to cut 1-2" off the bottom of the tree.  If you cut your tree yourself, make sure to cut that amount off before placing it in your tree holder.  This allows for better water absorption.  Keeping your tree hydrated is a key factor in preventing a fire. 

Check the water reservoir every day to make sure there is plenty of water.  According to experts, it's a myth that there is anything you can add to the water (aspirin, water, etc) to make the tree last longer.  A cut tree begins to die from the time it is severed from its roots.  That's why the fire department recommends keeping a decorated cut Christmas tree in your Northern Virginia/South Carolina for no more than two weeks.

Keep your tree three feet from any heat source, including the fireplace, heating vents, portable heaters and lit candles.  Never decorate your tree with lit candles.  Only use lights that have been approved by an independent lab for indoor use.  Make sure there are no breaks or frayed wires along the light string.  Never combine more than three strings of lights on one strand.  This can overload the circuit.  Also, don't overload the electrical outlets.  This can short out the outlet and create a possible fire hazard.

Christmas trees burn too hot for a traditional fireplace or wood burning stove.  So, never cut up your Christmas tree and use it for firewood in your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home.  Instead, contact your local garbage disposal company to ask about their Christmas tree disposal policies.

Keep you and your family safe while enjoying the holidays.  Taking care of your Christmas tree will help prevent a fire in your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home.  Have a very Merry Christmas!

Gene Mock, your Northern Virginia, South Carolina and Washington DC real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Northern Virginia Homes blog here: http://northernvirginiahomes.net/2011/12/15/christmas-tree-care-and-safety/.

Kitchens remain a huge selling point for most Northern Virginia/South Carolina homes today.  Maintaining and updating your kitchen should be one of your top priorities when it comes time to sell it.  That doesn't necessarily mean spending thousands of dollars completely overhauling your kitchen, though.  Not many homeowners have that kind of money to spend.  You can update your kitchen without breaking the bank by adhering to the following simple guidelines.

A Little Elbow Grease - I can't stress enough how important it is to clean your Northern Virginia/South Carolina kitchen.  I'm not talking about the surface stuff that most people do every day.  I mean moving the refrigerator, lifting the top off the stove to get to the crumbs underneath, cleaning the baseboards and scrubbing your range's hood (where grease spatters).  Wipe down the backsplash, walls, cabinets and front of your appliances so that they are positively gleaming.

Add/Change Hardware - You can completely change the look of a Northern Virginia/South Carolina kitchen by adding or changing out the knobs and pulls on the cabinets and drawers.  Save even more money by buying them in bulk at your local home improvement center.

A Horse of a Different Color - Freshen up the room with a nice coat of paint.  Using lighter colors will help brighten up the kitchen as well.  At only around $15-$20 per gallon, this can be done in a weekend for very little money.  Add molding to your cabinets before you paint for an interesting accent piece.

Try One or Two Higher End Updates - Replace the old faucet with a high end model.  Add a customized hood over the stove.  Replace old appliances with newer, more energy efficient models.  Change/add a backsplash to just your oven area.  This looks great and makes for easy clean up of cooking messes.  Spending extra money in a couple of strategic places allows you to save money in others while still making your Northern Virginia/South Carolina kitchen look very chic to potential buyers.

When it comes time to sell your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home, your kitchen can make or break a deal.  But, you don't have to break the bank to update your kitchen.  A few simple, inexpensive changes can turn your tried-and-true kitchen into a true showpiece.  Let me know when you're ready to sell your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home.

Gene Mock, your Northern Virginia, South Carolina and Washington DC real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Northern Virginia real estate blog here: http://northernvirginiahomes.net/2011/12/08/update-your-kitchen-without-breaking-the-bank/.

You're already busy with work, kids and errands.  At this time of year, add shopping, decorating and entertaining to that list and you get even busier.  Now, you need to sell your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home on top of it.  Feel overwhelmed yet?  Some sellers think they should wait until after the hustle and bustle of the season winds down.  However, that could be a big mistake.  Here are some of the reasons why selling your home during the holidays can actually be a good idea.

While the amount of traffic to view your Northern Virginia/South Carolina appears to be less, the potential buyers looking are more likely to be serious than other times of the year.  Believe it or not, negotiating a deal during the holiday season tends to be less stressful as well.  Buyers who need to relocate due to a job or other obligation are under a time crunch to find a home no matter what time of the year it is.  And, if they have children, they are really motivated to negotiate a deal before the school year starts back after winter break.

Oftentimes, buyer traffic increases during the holidays.  That's because you've got the power of the MLS on your side.  Other agents have clients who are also looking for a Northern Virginia/South Carolina home during this time of year.  You might even find that your home is seen by more potential buyers now than if you waited until the typically busy season of spring and summer.  And, remember, these are highly motivated buyers, too.  So, the potential for a successful sale is that much better.

During the holidays, homeowners tend to make their Northern Virginia/South Carolina homes shine with festive decorations and beautiful trimmings.  When does your home ever look this great?  Just get the family together every morning for a quick five minute run through to make sure any messes are picked up and you're good to go.

Even with the increased likelihood of a serious buyer during this time of the year, selling your home during the holidays can still feel extremely exhaustive.  Keep in mind, however, that this is why you hire a REALTOR®.  They are the ones that make sure your Northern Virginia/South Carolina is seen, set up open houses, meet and greet visitors, do the advertising and perform any other legwork that must be done.  That way, you can go about your usual day-to-day routine.  Let me know when you want to put your house on the market.  There's no time like the present!

Gene Mock, your Northern Virginia, South Carolina and Washington DC real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Northern Virginia Homes blog here: http://northernvirginiahomes.net/2011/12/01/selling-your-home-during-the-holidays/.

Fireplaces are beautiful, provide wonderful ambiance and warmth and can be deadly if not properly taken care of.  Now that the weather is getting chillier, more and more Northern Virginia/South Carolina residents are using their fireplaces to help stave off the cold.  Since heating fires are responsible for over a third of the residential fires every year in rural areas, I thought it would be a smart idea to share some fireplace safety and care tips so that you can enjoy your fireplace without worry.

According to the US Fire Administration, you should have a professional chimney sweep inspect and clean your chimney or wood stove at least once a year.  The buildup of creosote (that ugly black soot-like substance) can create a fire hazard in your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home since it is extremely flammable.  If you use your fireplace a lot during the winter months, you may need to have it cleaned more than once during the season.

Holiday decorations look great around the fireplace.  However, steer clear of placing flammable objects near the hearth, where random embers may land.  Keep glass doors cleaned and open when burning the fire so that oxygen can help burn the wood completely and help prevent the buildup of creosote.  Glass doors should be cleaned with warm soapy water rather than harsh chemicals.  Use a metal mesh screen to help keep the crackle of a roaring fire contained in the fireplace.  Always make sure the flue is open while using your fireplace.

When you aren't using the fireplace, keep the glass doors closed.  This allows any toxic fumes to travel up the chimney and outside rather than into your home.  It also prevents cold air from leaking into your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home.  Make sure your fire is completely out before leaving it unattended.  Dispose of fresh ash and debris in a metal container that is kept away from flammable objects.

Seasoned, dry hardwoods like ash, oak, birch and maple are best when building a fire.  Moist soft woods, like pine, fir, cedar and spruce, tend to build up creosote at a much quicker pace.  As the water inside the wood heats up, it pops, creating the "crackle" that is fun to listen to but can be a fire hazard as well.  While roaring fires can warm cold toes, keep your home fires small to produce less smoke.  Never burn your trash in your fireplace and never leave the fire unattended.

With energy costs on the rise, many homeowners turn to their fireplaces and wood-burning stoves as a source of heat.  Follow these fireplace safety and care tips to keep toasty during the chilly Northern Virginia/South Carolina weather as well as ensuring the safety of you and your loved ones.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving, too!

Gene Mock, your Northern Virginia, South Carolina and Washington DC real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Northern Virginia Homes blog here: http://northernvirginiahomes.net/2011/11/23/fireplace-safety-and-care/.